Thoughts on Spencer...

[TonyS]

It was a great win for the Boys yesterday.

Was watching the game on DVR and noticed a few times where Spencer focused on the QB instead of the back and overpursued, getting caught in the backfield with the back running between him and the line and resulting in pretty good gains for the Falcons.

I like the aggressiveness, but think he needs to work on his situational awareness and not blow by a play, effectively taking himself out of position.

Anyone get a better "whole game" view of how he did yesterday. Maybe I just locked in on him because it happened during a couple of close snaps.

 

[Doomsday101]

It was a great win for the Boys yesterday.

Was watching the game on DVR and noticed a few times where Spencer focused on the QB instead of the back and overpursued, getting caught in the backfield with the back running between him and the line and resulting in pretty good gains for the Falcons.

I like the aggressiveness, but think he needs to work on his situational awareness and not blow by a play, effectively taking himself out of position.

Anyone get a better "whole game" view of how he did yesterday. Maybe I just locked in on him because it happened during a couple of close snaps.

I noticed that as well. I see Spencer improving but still things he needs to improve on. I do think it was a good call on Alt part catching us in a blitz.

 

[jobberone]

No, this is one of his problems and why I state he has trouble with the run. He is doing that way too often. Ware had the same problem and he doesn't do it anymore. Well, I haven't noticed it lately.

 

[RS12]

Seems out of position way to often. Sack numbers are pitiful for his draft status and what he was brought here to do. Questionable instincts.

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

Yeah I noticed this on one play in particular. Overall I think he's playing much better and bringing some heat...

 

[Future]

He was a DE in college right?

I think he's still probably uncomfortable a little bit in the 3-4. His speed around the edge has been good, he's getting pressure. The numbers just aren't there.

 

[Ender]

I like Spencer, i think he is a good player and i think despite all the criticism he's having a good year. Seems to me every one wants him to be DWare number 2 and i think that's unfair to him. Expectations are a tad bit to high for him at this point in his career.

 

[masomenos]

He's just not a good pass rusher, plain and simple. Decent in coverage and strong against the run, in most cases, but definitely not what we were hoping for.

 

[joseephuss]

The coaches may have told him to go up field more. Early the Falcons boot legged Ryan off of play action and the OLBs crashed to the inside leaving Ryan with time to look downfield. Spencer needs to read his keys better, but this was also well designed and set up by the Falcons. Also the ILB(Carpenter once) has to do a better job of scraping outside.

 

[21Savage]

You guys do realize that he's a linebacker right? And that him rushing up the field might be a blitz call. But he's been caught on that a few times so what he needs to do is not take as wide an angle when rushing against a TE and use more of a power rush. Bobby Carpenter should have made the tackle on Snelling on that play but instead got stuck and watched him run by him. That was more of better scheming.

As far as people questioning his instincts and run stopping ability, I think it's just foolish. Those are some of his strong suits.

And since you watched him so closely, why don't you tell us about how he rushed the QB and how many pressures he put

 

[21Savage]

He's just not a good pass rusher, plain and simple. Decent in coverage and strong against the run, in most cases, but definitely not what we were hoping for.

Maybe not what YOU were hoping for. But it's safe to say you know nothing about the scheme.

 

[jobberone]

The coaches may have told him to go up field more. Early the Falcons boot legged Ryan off of play action and the OLBs crashed to the inside leaving Ryan with time to look downfield. Spencer needs to read his keys better, but this was also well designed and set up by the Falcons. Also the ILB(Carpenter once) has to do a better job of scraping outside.

Good points. He still should be able to read that play better. But I didn't think about them having him do that. I suppose so but why not just make his reads and keep containment. Interesting thought though. I see that as a mistake most of the time he does that. The Mo or nickle back has to fill that hole as well.

 

[Prime21]

when Turner was out of the game the whole defense didnt worry very much about the run. i thought Spencer had a good game. he seemed to be getting off blocks well. would of had a sack but some guy named Demarcus Ware stripped Matt Ryan just before he got there.

 

[zrinkill]

Seems out of position way to often. Sack numbers are pitiful for his draft status and what he was brought here to do. Questionable instincts.

Wow ....

 

[Goldenrichards83]

You guys do realize that he's a linebacker right? And that him rushing up the field might be a blitz call. But he's been caught on that a few times so what he needs to do is not take as wide an angle when rushing against a TE and use more of a power rush. Bobby Carpenter should have made the tackle on Snelling on that play but instead got stuck and watched him run by him. That was more of better scheming.

As far as people questioning his instincts and run stopping ability, I think it's just foolish. Those are some of his strong suits.

And since you watched him so closely, why don't you tell us about how he rushed the QB and how many pressures he put

 

[speedkilz88]

He did get the fumble recovery though.

 

[Randy White]

I like the aggressiveness, but think he needs to work on his situational awareness and not blow by a play, effectively taking himself out of position..

Baby steps... baby steps...

Slowly, but surely, he's coming along with each game. Remember, this is his first year as a starter, 3rd year in the league overall making the switch from a 3 point stand to a 2 point stand player. He's now reacting to the plays naturally, letting his physical talent take over, instead of thinking about what he should do. Stopping the run is more of a thinking process that most of the time, for pass rushing LBs and DE's, comes with experience. Once Spencer is confortable enough with his ability to get to the QB, as well as his coverage assignments where it comes as second nature, the running game will " slow down " in his mind. Right now all he's thinking is getting to the QB and making sure that RB out of the backfield doesn't get by him when he has that responsability.

He'll get there.

 

[Randy White]

was having the same problems, at the same point in his career, that Spencer is having ?

This guy:

He turned out " awright "..

 

[masomenos]

Maybe not what YOU were hoping for. But it's safe to say you know nothing about the scheme.

You do realize that the strong side LB in Wade's 3-4 still has pressure/sack opportunities, right? Spencer isn't good at getting to the QB, that's a fault in his game, most players have them. Spencer is not a perfect fit in the scheme, he's a good fit because he does other things well, but the defense would definitely benefit from added pressure from his position.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

You guys do realize that he's a linebacker right? And that him rushing up the field might be a blitz call. But he's been caught on that a few times so what he needs to do is not take as wide an angle when rushing against a TE and use more of a power rush. Bobby Carpenter should have made the tackle on Snelling on that play but instead got stuck and watched him run by him.

Exactly... Spencer probably should have squeezed down more than he did on that play, but he got zero help from the inside backer.

Get Jason Williams on the field!